It has been an appointment which has caught people by surprise. Mentioned as an interested party last week, he was overtaken by pursuits of Quique Sanchez Flores and Martin O'Neill - but he is the one who wanted the job.

The former Aston Villa and Norwich boss will be in the stands this evening as Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Russell take control as the Potters have the little task of taking on Manchester United.

Pundits have already written Stoke off for this one, citing four vital home games coming up ... and to be fair, whoever, has been the manager, Stoke haven't won here since 1976. But here goes.

We'll have all the news, action and opinion through the evening.

11:50Peter Smith

Ma Ma Ma Marc Muniesa

Stoke fans were bringing out some old favourite at Old Trafford last night.

An honest Eddie Niedzwiecki

Eddie says, of course, he’d prefer if Mark Hughes and Mark Bowen were still at Stoke - “I’m as much to blame as anyone for what’s happened, by association” - but he doesn’t rule out stopping as part of Paul Lambert’s back room team. He is a universally popular figure at Stoke.

Full-time verdicts

Hats off to the Stokies

Full-time

There is a hug for Eddie Niedzwiecki from Jose Mourinho as Stoke lose, but lose with some hope that there is better around the corner. Perhaps?

21:49Peter Smith

Man Utd 3 Stoke 0

21:48Peter Smith

Man Utd 3 Stoke 0

As the home stands empty, Stoke fans are singing: “I’m City til I die.”

We’re into injury time.

21:47Peter Smith

Man Utd 3 Stoke 0

Stoke have carried on pressing and harrying all through this game rather than feeling sorry for themselves. There’s still a chance that Man Utd could grab a fourth but this has been a substantially better showing than recent games against the big guns.

21:44Peter Smith

Man Utd 3 Stoke 0

Attendance is 74,726 - and it’s Stoke fans making all the noise from start to finish.

Get involved

MATCH ACTION

Ramadan Sobhi runs at Antonio Valencia during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford. (Image: Gareth Copley)

21:43Peter Smith

Man Utd 3 Stoke 0

Best chance of the night for Stoke and it’s Mame Diouf, twice, who doesn’t take it.

He’s picked out by Shaqiri but his left foot effort is saved by De Gea and he smacks the rebound into the side netting.

21:42Peter Smith

Man Utd 3 Stoke 0

Another outstanding save from Jack Butland, this time from Rashford. The less said about the build up the better, basically Kevin Wimmer tries to stop a looped through ball with the back of his heel raised behind his head.